Written Answers Wednesday 27 May 2009

Scottish Executive

Birds

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-22989 by Roseanna Cunningham on 7 May 2009, whether the Central Science Laboratory’s assessment of the effectiveness of using falcons to deter gulls in Dumfries town centre will include the effect on gull populations outwith Dumfries town centre, such as the Georgetown and Lochside areas of Dumfries.

Roseanna Cunningham: Regular monitoring of all known nest sites both within the town centre and the surrounding areas, such as the Georgetown and Lochside areas, will be undertaken throughout the trial period and immediately after the trial has ended. The data collected on numbers and locations of nest sites will be compared with data for previous years as part of the analysis to determine the effectiveness of the trial and any effects on gull nest sites elsewhere in the Dumfries area.

Children’s Hearings

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-23022 by Fiona Hyslop on 30 April 2009, how the new body that will be responsible for all functions associated with the Children’s Panel, including recruitment, selection and training of panel members, will ensure that those who wish to volunteer as panel members will continue to be recruited, selected and trained and continue to sit on hearings on a local basis.

Adam Ingram: The Bill to reform the Children’s Hearings system will provide for the transfer of functions currently carried out by Children’s Panels Advisory Committees and Panel Chairs to the President of a new body, the Scottish Children’s Hearings Tribunal.

  It will be a key responsibility of the President of the Tribunal to ensure that the local dimension of the Children’s Hearings system is continued in order that local people will serve as panel members supporting children in their community.

  We intend that the president will have the power to put in place structures which reflect local issues in all of Scotland’s communities, and that the president will work together with existing stakeholders in the transition to the new structures.

Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the Lord Advocate has exercised the right of appeal against unduly lenient sentences under the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995.

Frank Mulholland: Legislation granting the Lord Advocate a right of appeal against a sentence on the ground that it is unduly lenient came into force on 1 August 1997. While information on the total number of appeals lodged since that date is not readily available, a record has been maintained since 1 January 2003 of cases where the right of appeal has been exercised and it has been exercised on 68 occasions since that date. A table of all these cases is published on the Crown Office website, and is regularly updated.

Drug Misuse

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address the increasing use of (a) cocaine, (b) anabolic steroids and (c) GHB and GBL.

Fergus Ewing: I will shortly publish the government’s response to the Scottish Advisory Committee (SACDM) Project Group Report on psychostimulants. This will set out a package of action to address psychostimulant use, including the rise in use of cocaine and GHB. The Home Office launched a consultation on 21 May, for 12 weeks, on options to control GBL, including full control as a Class C drug. We will submit a response to the consultation and will actively encourage our stakeholders to do likewise. Finally, a working group of UK Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) is considering the harmfulness of anabolic steroids among the general population and will make recommendations on how to reduce harm and use. We will carefully consider their findings when they report later this year.

Drug and Alcohol Misuse

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21973 by Adam Ingram on 27 March 2009, how the national data standards being developed under the eCare Framework will relate to forms SMR 25a and SMR 25b and the waiting times data system for substance misusers.

Fergus Ewing: The national data standards referred to in the answer to question S3W-21973 are being developed specifically in relation to children and families under the Getting It Right for Every Child programme. As the Drugs Strategy says, through developing these data standards we will determine what information is collected, how it can be shared and how it is recorded so that it can be brought together as required for those who need to see it. We will actively consider how these standards will relate to the SMR25 forms and the National Drugs Treatment Waiting Times Framework.

Education

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many pupils in Dundee were presented for French at (a) standard and (b) higher grade in each of the last three years, also expressed as a percentage of the year group.

Keith Brown: The available information is given in the following table.

  Presentations for French, Dundee

  

 Year
 Standard Grade
 Higher


 Number
 Percent
 Number
 Percent


 2006
 808
 47.9
 42
 2.7


 2007
 702
 42.3
 55
 3.5


 2008
 686
 41.3
 63
 4.0



  Notes:

  1. The data in the table does not include equivalent qualification levels to standard grade (Access 3, Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2).

  2. Presentations are for all pupils in publicly funded secondary schools. Percentages for standard grades relate to the S4 roll, although not all presentations are by S4 pupils. Percentages for higher relate to the combined S5/S6 roll, although not all presentations are by S5 or S6 pupils.

Education

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many pupils in Dundee were presented for German at (a) standard and (b) higher grade in each of the last three years, also expressed as a percentage of the year group.

Keith Brown: The available information is given in the following table.

  Presentations for German, Dundee

  

 Year
 Standard Grade
 Higher


 Number
 Percent
 Number
 Percent


 2006
 331
 19.6
 21
 1.3


 2007
 307
 18.5
 24
 1.5


 2008
 298
 17.9
 33
 2.1



  Notes:

  1. The data in the table does not include equivalent qualification levels to standard grade (Access 3, Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2).

  2. Presentations are for all pupils in publicly funded secondary schools. Percentages for standard grades relate to the S4 roll, although not all presentations are by S4 pupils. Percentages for higher relate to the combined S5/S6 roll, although not all presentations are by S5 or S6 pupils.

Education

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many pupils in Dundee were presented for Spanish at (a) standard and (b) higher grade in each of the last three years, also expressed as a percentage of the year group.

Keith Brown: The available information is given in the following table.

  Presentations for Spanish, Dundee

  

 Year
 Standard Grade
 Higher


 Number
 Percent
 Number
 Percent


 2006
 165
 9.8
 21
 1.3


 2007
 173
 10.4
 19
 1.2


 2008
 188
 11.3
 19
 1.2



  Notes:

  1. The data in the table does not include equivalent qualification levels to standard grade (Access 3, Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2).

  2. Presentations are for all pupils in publicly funded secondary schools. Percentages for standard grades relate to the S4 roll, although not all presentations are by S4 pupils. Percentages for higher relate to the combined S5/S6 roll, although not all presentations are by S5 or S6 pupils.

Education

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many pupils in Angus were presented for French at (a) standard and (b) higher in each of the last three years, also expressed as a percentage of the year group.

Keith Brown: The available information is given in the following table.

  Presentations for French, Angus

  

 Year
 Standard Grade
 Higher


 Number
 Percent
 Number
 Percent


 2006
 729
 51.5
 75
 5.6


 2007
 637
 44.3
 81
 5.7


 2008
 730
 52.4
 71
 4.9



  Notes:

  1. The data in the table does not include equivalent qualification levels to standard grade (Access 3, Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2).

  2. Presentations are for all pupils in publicly funded secondary schools. Percentages for standard grades relate to the S4 roll, although not all presentations are by S4 pupils. Percentages for higher relate to the combined S5/S6 roll, although not all presentations are by S5 or S6 pupils.

Education

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many pupils in Angus were presented for German at (a) standard and (b) higher grade in each of the last three years, also expressed as a percentage of the year group.

Keith Brown: The available information is given in the following table.

  Presentations for German, Angus

  

 Year
 Standard Grade
 Higher


 Number
 Percent
 Number
 Percent


 2006
 242
 17.1
 39
 2.9


 2007
 328
 22.8
 32
 2.2


 2008
 340
 24.4
 35
 2.4



  Notes:

  1. The data in the table does not include equivalent qualification levels to standard grade (Access 3, Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2).

  2. Presentations are for all pupils in publicly funded secondary schools. Percentages for standard grades relate to the S4 roll, although not all presentations are by S4 pupils. Percentages for higher relate to the combined S5/S6 roll, although not all presentations are by S5 or S6 pupils.

Education

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many pupils in Angus were presented for Spanish at (a) standard and (b) higher in each of the last three years, also expressed as a percentage of the year group.

Keith Brown: The available information is given in the following table.

  Presentations for Spanish, Angus

  

 Year
 Standard Grade
 Higher


 Number
 Percent
 Number
 Percent


 2006
 24
 1.7
 14
 1.0


 2007
 17
 1.2
 21
 1.5


 2008
 45
 3.2
 15
 1.0



  Notes:

  1. The data in the table does not include equivalent qualification levels to standard grade (Access 3, Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2).

  2. Presentations are for all pupils in publicly funded secondary schools. Percentages for Standard Grades relate to the S4 roll, although not all presentations are by S4 pupils. Percentages for higher relate to the combined S5/S6 roll, although not all presentations are by S5 or S6 pupils.

Efficient Government

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what targets for recycling have been given to each of its directorates and agencies and what the latest achievement figures are for each.

John Swinney: The core Scottish Government has an internal target to reduce the amount of office waste going to landfill, by recycling 80% of its total waste by March 2011. The figures achieved in 2007-08 were:

  17 per cent less waste produced than in the previous year;

  76 per cent of waste was recycled, and

  29 per cent increase in use of video conferencing.

  The Scottish Government does not collate waste figures on a directorate basis. Agencies are not required to provide recycling figures to the Scottish Government.

Efficient Government

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what efficiency savings have been made by the Directorate for Culture, External Affairs and Tourism since May 2007.

John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21400, on 4 March 2009 and S3W-24040, on 27 May. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

  The Outturn Report for 2007-08 can be found on the internet at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/10/Outturn2008.

  It includes a breakdown of all efficiency savings made; including efficiency savings made in areas within Culture, External Affairs and Tourism Directorate.

  The 2008-09 Outturn Report is scheduled to be published in October and will, like previous reports, be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Efficient Government

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what efficiency savings have been made by the Office of the First Minister since May 2007 and how much is attributed to the (a) First Minister, (b) Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution and (c) Minister for Parliamentary Business.

John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to his question S3W-21400 on 4 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

  As I said in my answer to that question, the Outturn Report for 2007-08 can be found on the internet at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/10/Outturn2008. It includes a breakdown of the efficiency savings made in the First Minister’s portfolio.

  The 2008-09 Outturn Report is scheduled to be published in October and will, like previous reports, be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Environment

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the environmental and public health effects of benzene and other aromatics when used in vehicle fuel.

Roseanna Cunningham: European Directive 98/70/EC sets limits for the content of aromatics and benzene in petrol. The Directive is regularly reviewed, most recently in 2007, and any amendments take account of the most up to date advice from health professionals and other relevant stakeholders.

  Air quality objectives set by the Scottish Government are derived from air quality standards which are based on the best available medical and scientific understanding of the effect of individual pollutants on public health and the environment.

  Benzene is a known carcinogen and for this reason the concentration of benzene in ambient air is included in Scottish and European air quality legislation. In their 1994 report, Expert Panel on Air quality Standards considered the advice of the Committee of Carcinogenicity, that exposure to benzene should be kept as low as practicable, and recommended a target of 3.25ug/m3 for benzene. The Scottish Government has set an objective to meet this concentration by the end of 2010 and monitoring has shown that this objective is already being met across Scotland. A number of policy measures already in place or planned for future years will contribute to a continued reduction in concentrations of benzene in ambient air.

Environment

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what regulations cover the use of carcinogens in vehicle fuel.

Roseanna Cunningham: European Directive 98/70/EC (as amended) sets out the environmental fuel quality specifications for petrol and diesel fuels in the European Community. This restricts the content of a number of substances including benzene, aromatics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, many of which are known or suspected carcinogens. These standards are implemented in the UK by the Motor Fuel (Composition and Content) Regulations 1999 (as amended).

Environment

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had discussions with vehicle fuel vendors about fitting vapour recovery fuel pumps.

Roseanna Cunningham: Regulations were introduced in December 2008 which require petrol vapour recovery equipment (stage II controls) to be fitted at petrol pumps at all large petrol stations across Scotland by 2012. These controls were introduced following consultation with vehicle fuel vendors and other stakeholders.

Environment Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-22108 and S3W-22109 by John Swinney on 31 March 2009, how it will ensure that any significant effects on the environment likely to arise from the National Performance Framework, in particular secondary, cumulative and synergistic effects of specific initiatives, policies and programmes, will be fully taken into account.

John Swinney: Where appropriate, the environmental effects can be considered within individual assessments undertaken by the relevant Responsible Authorities of the plans, programmes and policies that flow from the government and its partners’ alignment to the National Performance Framework and their contributions to the Purpose, Purpose Targets and National Outcomes. It is in this way that the government considers the effects on the environment can most meaningfully be assessed in terms of the Environment Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005.

Environment Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-22108 and S3W-22109 by John Swinney on 31 March 2009, what the potential legal, operational and financial consequences would be of failing to undertake an environmental assessment of the National Performance Framework.

John Swinney: As it would be for the courts to ultimately decide whether the Scottish Government had taken the appropriate course of action in relation to an environmental assessment of the National Performance Framework, we have no means to gauge what the potential legal, operational and financial consequences would be.

Finance

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which recommendations in Audit Scotland’s report, Review of major capital projects in Scotland - How government work s, have been implemented.

John Swinney: The recommendation to strengthen strategic direction and investment planning through a senior, government wide, investment co-ordination and challenge function has been implemented. The recommendation to collect information on all projects and get explanations for cost, time and quality changes, and lessons learned and to report performance publicly is being implemented.

  The Infrastructure Investment Group is actively considering how best to take forward the remaining two recommendations. These are that the Scottish Government should ensure robust procurement strategies and cost estimates have been developed prior to awarding funding to projects, and that it should take account of market conditions and construction inflation when developing its capital programme. The group is actively considering how to build on existing structures and processes, augmenting these as necessary to meet both recommendations.

First Minister

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the visits by the First Minister to (a) schools, (b) hospitals and (c) prisons in 2008-09.

John Swinney: The schools and hospitals visited by the First Minister in 2008-09 are set out in the following table.

  

 Name of School
 Location
 Date


 Mearns Castle High School
 Newton Mearns
 17 April 2008


 Sleat
 Skye
 26 August 2008


 Royal Blind School
 Edinburgh
 2 September 2008


 Donaldson’s School
 Linlithgow
 17 September 2008


 Dumfries and Galloway College
 Dumfries
 11 February 2009


 Borders College
 Hawick
 4 March 2009


 Hawick High School
 Hawick
 4 March 2009


 Arran High School
 Arran
 23 March 2009 


 Name of Hospital
 Location
 Date


 Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
 Aberdeen
 10 September 2007


 Raigmore Hospital
 Inverness
 5 August 2008


 Western General Hospital
 Edinburgh
 20 August 2008


 Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
 Aberdeen
 29 August 2008


 Forth Valley Hospital
 Larbert
 25 March 2009



  The prisons visited by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice in 2008-09 are set out in the following table.

  

 Name of Prison
 Location
 Date


 HMP Cornton Vale
 Stirling
 12 February 2008


 HMP Barlinnie
 Glasgow
 14 February 2008


 HMP Addiewell
 Addiewell
 3 March 2008


 HMP Cornton Vale
 Stirling
 17 June 2008


 HMP Saughton
 Edinburgh
 22 August 2008


 HMP Barlinnie
 Glasgow
 10 October 2008


 HMYOI Polmont
 Falkirk 
 17 December 2008


 HMP Kibble
 Bishopton
 29 December 2008


 HMP Saughton
 Edinburgh
 27 April 2009

Housing

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many council houses have been built in Aberdeen city since May 2007.

Alex Neil: There have been no council house completions in Aberdeen City since May 2007. Thirty-three council houses were started between April and June 2007, but these had not yet been completed by March 2009, the latest date for which figures are available.

  Figures on council housing starts and completions by local authority area are available online at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/HSfS/NewBuildLA.

Housing

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many housing association houses have been built in Aberdeen city since May 2007.

Alex Neil: One hundred and thirty-three houses for rent or low cost home ownership have been built (completed) by housing associations in Aberdeen City council area between 1 May 2007 and 31 March 2009. There were no completions in April 2007, so this figure is consistent with the quarterly information available on the Housing Statistics for Scotland web pages at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/HSfS/NewBuild.

Justice

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-12020 by Fergus Ewing on 18 April 2008, for what reasons it does not hold information centrally on how much each local authority spends on the provision of CCTV facilities and whether it intends to hold this information in the future.

Fergus Ewing: It is the responsibility of each local authority, in conjunction with their Community Planning Partners, to allocate funding on the basis of their local needs and priorities – having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities, including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives and manifesto commitments.

  I have recently received the completed Strategic Review of Public Space CCTV in Scotland. While it is too early to indicate what our intentions might be, we will look to build upon the output of the review.

Justice

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether (a) members of the public and (b) police officers are prohibited from using a mobile phone when riding a horse on a public highway and, if so, what penalties apply.

Kenny MacAskill: There is no specific legislation that prohibits the use of a mobile phone either by a member of the public or by the police while riding a horse on the public highway.

Justice

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to introducing draft legislation on public interest immunity.

Kenny MacAskill: The Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill, which was introduced before the Scottish Parliament on 5 March 2009, sets out procedures for the withholding of information which would otherwise require to be disclosed to an accused person in criminal proceedings, where disclosure of that information would be likely to cause substantial prejudice to an important public interest.

Kinship Care

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to support kinship carers since the passing of motion S3M-3078 on 11 December 2008.

Adam Ingram: The concordat agreement between local authorities and the Scottish Government contained a commitment to pay allowances to kinship carers of looked after children. All local authorities have stated that they will be meeting this commitment by 2010-11.

  The Looked After Children (Scotland) Regulations 2009, subject to parliamentary approval, will give kinship carers of looked after children, for the first time, a formal statutory basis with a range of responsibilities and duties for both the local authority and the carer to meet the needs of the looked after child.

  The Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) Kinship Care Advice and Information Service was set up by the Scottish Government to provide advice for all kinship carers, including advice on maximising benefit and income entitlements. CAS also provide advice and support to each local authority for their work with kinship carers.

  Scottish Government wrote to the UK Government on 6 May 2009 to invite approval for changes in child benefit and child tax credit regulations which will enable kinship carers of looked after children to receive benefit while also receiving financial support from a local authority, where this is appropriate.

Legal Aid

Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many solicitors’ practices undertook civil legal aid work for which they received fee payments, excluding VAT, from the Scottish Legal Aid Board of (a) less than £25,000, (b) £25,000 to £50,000, (c) £50,000 to £75,000, (d) £75,000 to £100,000 and (e) more than £100,000 in the last year for which information is available, broken down by parliamentary region or postcode area.

Kenny MacAskill: The following table gives details of the fees paid to solicitors’ firms between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009 for civil legal advice and assistance work and civil legal aid work. All fee payments are exclusive of VAT and include solicitor and solicitor-advocate fees paid to the firm. The information has been broken down by Royal Mail postal areas. For firms with more than one branch, the main branch of the firm handling payments has been used, although such firms will in reality generate their fees across their branch network which may span more than one postal area. It is not possible to apportion fees amongst individual branches in a multi-branch firm.

  Numbers of solicitors’ firms paid Civil Legal Aid fees between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009, by postcode area and level of fees:

  

 Postal Area
 Less than £25,000
£25,000 to £50,000
£50,000 to £75,000
£75,000 to £100,000
 Over £100,000
Grand Total


 AB
 39
 11
 1
 1
 1
 53


 DD
 18
 8
 3
 4
 7
 40


 DG
 16
 5
 1
 0
 1
 23


 EH
 36
 12
 6
 0
 14
 68


 FK
 18
 6
 4
 1
 2
 31


 G
 108
 31
 21
 7
 24
 191


 HS
 2
 0
 0
 0
 0
 2


 IV
 16
 4
 1
 2
 2
 25


 KA
 29
 5
 8
 1
 3
 46


 KW
 5
 0
 0
 0
 0
 5


 KY
 19
 9
 4
 3
 4
 39


 ML
 31
 11
 3
 2
 7
 54


 PA
 26
 6
 3
 5
 4
 44


 PH
 8
 5
 4
 0
 2
 19


 TD
 8
 3
 0
 1
 1
 13


 ZE
 2
 0
 0
 0
 0
 2


 Total
 381
 116
 59
 27
 72
 655



  Notes: a number of firms, especially in the Edinburgh area, act as agents at the Court of Session for other firms based around the country. These Edinburgh agents’ fees are paid as outlays in the nominated solicitors’ accounts. Their fees are not included in the table.

  The postal areas referred to in the table are as follows:

  

 Postal Area
 Postal Towns


 AB
 Aberdeen, Aberlour, Aboyne, Alford, Ballater, Ballindalloch, Banchory, Banff, Buckie, Ellon, Fraserburgh, Huntly, Insch, Inverurie, Keith, Laurencekirk, Macduff, Milltimber, Peterculter, Peterhead, Stonehaven, Strathdon, Turriff, Westhill



 DD
 Arbroath, Brechin, Carnoustie, Dundee, Forfar, Kirriemuir, Montrose, Newport-On-Tay, Tayport



 DG
 Annan, Canonbie, Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie, Dumfries, Gretna, Kirkcudbright, Langholm, Lockerbie, Moffat, Newton Stewart, Sanquhar, Stranraer, Thornhill



 EH
 Balerno, Bathgate, Bo’ness, Bonnyrigg, Broxburn, Currie, Dalkeith, Dunbar, East Linton, Edinburgh, Gorebridge, Gullane, Haddington, Heriot, Humbie, Innerleithen, Juniper Green, Kirkliston, Kirknewton, Lasswade, Linlithgow, Livingston, Loanhead, Longniddry, Musselburgh, Newbridge, North Berwick, Pathhead, Peebles, Penicuik, Prestonpans, Rosewell, Roslin, South Queensferry, Tranent, Walkerburn, West Calder, West Linton



 FK
 Alloa, Alva, Bonnybridge, Callander, Clackmannan, Crianlarich, Denny, Dollar, Doune, Dunblane, Falkirk, Grangemouth, Killin, Larbert, Lochearnhead, Menstrie, Stirling, Tillicoultry



 G
 Alexandria, Arrochar, Clydebank, Dumbarton, Glasgow, Helensburgh


 HS
 Castlebay, Harris, Isle Of Benbecula, Isle Of Lewis, Isle Of Scalpay, Leverburgh, Lochboisdale, Lochmaddy, Stornoway



 IV
 Achnasheen, Alness, Ardgay, Avoch, Beauly, Cromarty, Dingwall, Dornoch, Elgin, Fochabers, Forres, Fortrose, Gairloch, Garve, Invergordon, Inverness, Isle Of Skye, Kyle, Lairg, Lossiemouth, Muir Of Ord, Munlochy, Nairn, Plockton, Portree, Rogart, Strathcarron, Strathpeffer, Strome Ferry, Tain, Ullapool



 KA
 Ardrossan, Ayr, Beith, Brodick, Cumnock, Dalry, Darvel, Galston, Girvan, Irvine, Kilbirnie, Kilmarnock, Kilwinning, Largs, Mauchline, Maybole, Millport, Newmilns, Prestwick, Saltcoats, Stevenston, Troon, West Kilbride



 KW
 Berriedale, Brora, Dunbeath, Forsinard, Golspie, Halkirk, Helmsdale, Kinbrace, Kirkwall, Latheron, Lybster, Orkney, Stromness, Thurso, Wick



 KY
 Anstruther, Burntisland, Cowdenbeath, Cupar, Dunfermline, Glenrothes, Inverkeithing, Kelty, Kinross, Kirkcaldy, Leven, Lochgelly, St Andrews



 ML
 Airdrie, Bellshill, Biggar, Carluke, Coatbridge, Hamilton, Lanark, Larkhall, Motherwell, Shotts, Strathaven, Wishaw



 PA
 Appin, Ballygrant, Bishopton, Bowmore, Bridge Of Orchy, Bridge Of Weir, Bridgend, Bruichladdich, Cairndow, Campbeltown, Colintraive, Craighouse, Dalmally, Dunoon, Erskine, Gourock, Greenock, Inveraray, Isle Of Coll, Isle Of Colonsay, Isle Of Gigha, Isle Of Iona, Isle Of Mull, Johnstone, Kilmacolm, Lochgilphead, Lochwinnoch, Oban, Paisley, Port Askaig, Port Charlotte, Port Ellen, Port Glasgow, Portnahaven, Renfrew, Rothesay, Scarinish, Skelmorlie, Tarbert, Taynuilt, Tighnabruaich, Wemyss Bay



 PH
 Aberfeldy, Acharacle, Arisaig, Auchterarder, Aviemore, Ballachulish, Blairgowrie, Boat Of Garten, Carrbridge, Corrour, Crieff, Dalwhinnie, Dunkeld, Fort Augustus, Fort William, Glenfinnan, Grantown-On-Spey, Invergarry, Isle Of Canna, Isle Of Eigg, Isle Of Rum, Kingussie, Kinlochleven, Lochailort, Mallaig, Nethy Bridge, Newtonmore, Perth, Pitlochry, Roy Bridge, Spean Bridge



 TD
 Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Cockburnspath, Coldstream, Cornhill-On-Tweed, Duns, Earlston, Eyemouth, Galashiels, Gordon, Hawick, Jedburgh, Kelso, Lauder, Melrose, Mindrum, Newcastleton, Selkirk



 ZE
 Lerwick, Shetland

Malnutrition

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many uneaten hospital meals were disposed of by NHS Grampian in each of the last three years.

Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Grampian does not record how many hospital meals or specific types of food were not eaten. It does, however, regularly monitor the total wastage of all food in its hospitals.

  Food wastage can occur for a number of reasons. Patients’ illnesses, treatment regime or age can all reduce appetite or cause it to vary. Adequate nutrition while in hospital is of course very important and NHS Grampian’s nursing practice in these circumstances is to encourage patients to have at least a small amount of food.

  Other factors can lead to some wastage. For example, NHS Grampian offers patients a choice of several main meal courses at the point of service. This improves the patient experience, but can result in more waste than through a pre-ordering arrangement. NHS Grampian’s Catering Management Team take food wastage very seriously both in terms of the patients’ wellbeing and the need for efficiency. All NHS boards in Scotland are seeking to reduce waste through initiatives such as protected meal times.

Malnutrition

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, given that the number of patients discharged with a diagnosis of malnutrition from NHS Grampian hospitals reached a 10-year high in 2008, whether it intends to take action and, if so, what action.

Nicola Sturgeon: It is important to note that improved detection and diagnosis has influenced the published statistics on malnutrition in and on discharge from hospitals. We continue to give a high priority to the detection of malnutrition on admission to hospital and to recognising and meeting patients’ nutritional needs while they are in hospital.

  Scotland has led the UK in introducing screening for all patients on admission to hospital to establish the risk of under-nutrition. This allows care plans to be put in place to meet individual needs. We are already doing groundbreaking work as part of our comprehensive programme to improve and enhance nutritional care of patients in hospital. This builds on the standards on food, fluid and nutrition introduced in 2003. We are backing the work up with £1.5 million of new investment. Patients in Grampian will benefit from this as will those in the rest of Scotland.

  In 2008 we also introduced a Food in Hospitals catering specification to assist NHS boards to deliver a healthy, balanced diet to patients. We have created Nutrition Champions in each NHS board, and senior charge nurses have introduced protected meal times to ensure that staff have time to support vulnerable patients and help them to improve and maintain their nutrition where appropriate.

Malnutrition

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, given that the number of patients who died in NHS Grampian hospitals as a result of malnutrition reached a 10-year high in 2008, whether it intends to take action and, if so, what action.

Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to my answer to question S3W-23971 on 27 May 2009 for the action we are taking on malnutrition in Scotland’s hospitals. It is important to note that that increased rates of detection have influenced the statistics on hospital deaths where malnutrition has been a factor and that the vast majority of these deaths were as a result of malnutrition secondary to other clinical conditions.

Maritime Issues

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it makes funding available to groups such as inshore rescue for the purchase of equipment, for example lifeboats that adhere to the new regulations to be introduced by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Kenny MacAskill: No specific Scottish Government funding available to groups for the purchase of inshore rescue equipment. However, Scottish Government has spent £262,000 over the past six years on water related equipment, including rescue boats, to enhance the response from Fire and Rescue Services to flooding.

  Fire and Rescue Services also receive a Fire (LA) capital allocation of £20.2 million allocated amongst each of the eight FRS for 2009-10 to maintain or improve their operational capability. Decisions on the allocation of this funding are properly a matter for individual Fire and Rescue Services.

  My colleague, Fergus Ewing, recently initiated a Review of Scotland’s Water Capabilities which will examine the resources and capabilities of the range of agencies involved in water rescue events and the operational and legal basis to their involvement. Funding considerations will be an underpinning aspect of the review.

Mental Health

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde inpatient mental health provision is used by patients from outwith that NHS board area.

Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde(NHSGGC) have confirmed that in the one year period to 31 April 2009, that there were 1,184 bed days of unplanned activity into Greater Glasgow beds from other boards which comprised of 114 admissions, using the equivalent of three beds per day.

  NHSGGC have stated that around 60% of this unplanned bed use relates to the neighbouring boards of NHS Ayrshire and Arran and NHS Lanarkshire.

Mental Health

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive to where NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde patients are referred for inpatient mental health care if there is insufficient capacity within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have confirmed that the use of acute beds beyond its own boundaries is very low. Greater Glasgow and Clyde provides 1,510 beds for acute assessment, continuing care and specialist services (1,121 of these beds are provided by Greater Glasgow hospitals).

  In the 12 month period to 31 April 2009, there were five admissions to a bed outwith the Glasgow area using a total of 16 bed days. This includes both unplanned requests to other boards and presentation at accident and emergency services whilst Greater Glasgow residents are temporarily away from the Glasgow area. The number of patients from other NHS boards using hospitals in Greater Glasgow and Clyde is significantly higher.

Ministerial Correspondence

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what five subjects were raised most often by members of the public in written correspondence with (a) the First Minister and (b) each of the cabinet secretaries in the last 12 months and how many representations were received in respect of each subject.

Bruce Crawford: The top five subjects from members of the public in written correspondence addressed to the First Minister and Cabinet Secretaries in the last 12 months are as follows:

  

 Subject
 Number of Cases


 First Minister


 Banks
 131


 Friendly Societies
 87


 The Middle East
 84


 National Conversation on Scotland’s Constitutional Future
 71


 Land Use Planning - Planning Casework
 69


 Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth


 Planning Appeals in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
 165


 Trump Golf Development
 107


 Land Use Planning - Planning Casework
 74


 Local Income Tax (LIT)
 37


 Planning Appeals In: Highland; Moray; Shetland; Orkney; W. Isles; Argyll and Bute; Angus; Fife; Perth and Kinross; Dundee
 35


 Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning


 Teacher Supply, Demand and Annual Intake 
 93


 Class Sizes, Composite classes and reducing class sizes
 33


 School Budget Cuts
 31


 National Qualifications
 27


 School Curriculum
 26


 Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing


 Health - Car Parking Charges
 169


 Hospital Services (Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders)
 117


 Healthcare Associated Infection 
 109


 Hospital complaints (Glasgow, Western Isles)
 103


 Performance Management of Scottish Ambulance Service
 86


 Cabinet Secretary for Justice


 Liquor Licensing
 70


 Sentencing (general) (including compensation orders)
 53


 Complaints Against The Police
 40


 Alcohol Policy
 40


 Police Forces
 21


 Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment


 Scotland Rural Development Programme-Rural Development Contracts- Rural Priorities 
 36


 Food Policy
 23


 Agricultural Holdings Legislation
 18


 Land Use Planning - Planning Casework
 17


 Food Industry
 16

Ministerial Engagements

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been undertaken by the First Minister since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been undertaken by the Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been undertaken by the Minister for Parliamentary Business since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been undertaken by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been undertaken by the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been undertaken by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been undertaken by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been undertaken by the Minister for Environment since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been undertaken by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been undertaken by the Minister for Community Safety since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been undertaken by the Minister for Schools and Skills since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been undertaken by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been undertaken by the Minister for Communities and Sport and the Minister for Housing and Communities since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been undertaken by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been undertaken by the Minister for Public Health and the Minister for Public Health and Sport since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

John Swinney: I will write to the member as soon as the information is available. A copy of the response will be available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 48199).

NHS Waiting Times

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals aged (a) 18 and under, (b) 19 to 24, (c) 25 to 34, (d) 35 to 44 and (e) 45 and over underwent plastic surgery procedures following an exceptional referral in each of the last five years, broken down by type of procedure.

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many plastic surgery procedures have been carried out following an exceptional referral in each of the last five years, broken down by type of procedure and NHS board.

Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not available centrally.

NHS Waiting Times

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the median waiting time was for patients undergoing plastic surgery procedures in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board.

Nicola Sturgeon: The median waiting times for patients undergoing plastic surgery procedures in the five years to 31 March 2007 is provided in the following table.

  NHSScotland: Median* wait for Patients who Underwent Plastic Surgery Procedures in the years Ending 31 December 2003-07 by NHS Board of Treatment

  

 NHS Board
 2003
 2004
 2005
 2006
 2007


 Days


 Ayrshire and Arran
 84
 56
 56
 42
 39


 Fife
 116
 95
 139
 119
 69


 Grampian
 42
 35
 47
 44
 33


 Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board
 23
 26
 27
 21
 25


 Highland
 168
 179
 112
 113
 118


 Lothian 
 62
 58
 64
 61
 65


 Tayside
 67
 89
 85
 112
 92


 Scotland
 42
 43
 42
 39
 39



  Source: SMR01.

  Note: *Includes patients with Availability Status Codes.

National Health Service

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-22908 by Nicola Sturgeon on 11 May 2009, when it will publish the responses to the consultation on the establishment of the Care Environment Inspectorate on the NHS Quality Improvement Scotland website.

Nicola Sturgeon: The summary of responses to the consultation on the establishment of the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate will be published on the NHS Quality Improvement Scotland website by Friday 12 June 2009.

Planning

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the final criteria for and listing of Scottish battlefields will be published and whether such a listing will have an influence on any decision to underground the proposed Beauly to Denny power line.

Michael Russell: Ministers will make a statement on policy for historic battlefields later in the summer. It is not possible to speculate on the application of as yet unpublished policy to specific cases.

Prison Service

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) design capacity, (b) assessed operational limit and (c) average number of inmates held at each (i) prison and (ii) young offenders institution was in each month in 2008.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  The following table give details of the design capacity, assessed operational limits and average prisoner population for each establishment on a month-by-month basis for 2008.

  

 
Design Capacity
Assessed Operational Limit (AOL)
 January
 February
 March
 April


 Aberdeen 
 155
 255
 237
 245
 238
 227


 Addiewell
700 (from Dec)
 700
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Barlinnie
 1,018
 1,600
 1,396
 1,491
 1,522
 1,513


 Cornton Vale
 375
 440
 362
 390
 375
 376


 Dumfries 
 179
 216
 197
 200
 195
 197


 Edinburgh 
756 (872 from Dec)
 866 (960 From Dec)
 783
 804
 828
 812


 Glenochil Prison
 670
 750
 667
 669
 690
 718


 Greenock 
 255
 330
 311
 312
 303
 311


 Inverness 
 104
 162
 151
 148
 146
 147


 Kilmarnock 
 500
 644
 597
 621
 644
 648


 Open Estate
 425
 519
 377
 390
 370
 306


 Perth 
 722
 801
 666
 727
 738
 748


 Peterhead
 306
 306
 304
 303
 303
 303


 Polmont
 623
 700
 655
 675
 677
 688


 Shotts
 537
 537
 537
 536
 539
 540



  

 
 May
 June
 July
 August
 September
 October
 November
 December


 Aberdeen 
 232
 234
 223
 234
 249
 256
 237
 222


 Addiewell
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 40


 Barlinnie
 1,505
 1,522
 1,597
 1,668
 1,726
 1,666
 1,650
 1,549


 Cornton Vale
 375
 396
 379
 403
 428
 429
 417
 387


 Dumfries 
 197
 202
 195
 215
 217
 215
 213
 209


 Edinburgh 
 817
 841
 848
 858
 890
 882
 884
 833


 Glenochil Prison
 719
 718
 718
 738
 750
 751
 748
 746


 Greenock 
 309
 302
 312
 324
 328
 332
 328
 316


 Inverness 
 148
 144
 144
 165
 153
 149
 154
 154


 Kilmarnock 
 641
 649
 647
 647
 645
 648
 648
 642


 Open Estate
 272
 273
 290
 291
 285
 296
 294
 271


 Perth 
 746
 761
 775
 775
 783
 784
 778
 738


 Peterhead
 305
 305
 304
 306
 305
 306
 304
 305


 Polmont
 669
 673
 692
 694
 695
 705
 710
 683


 Shotts
 539
 538
 540
 539
 544
 547
 546
 539

Prison Service

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) design capacity, (b) assessed operational limit and (c) average number of inmates held at each (i) prison and (ii) young offenders institution was in each month of 2009 for which information is available.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  The following table give details of the design capacity, assessed operational limits and average prisoner population for each Establishment on a month-by-month basis for 2009.

  

 
 Design Capacity
 AOL*
 January
 February
 March
 April


 Aberdeen
 155
 255
 212
 223
 231
 232


 Addiewell
 700
 700
 163
 471
 700
 702


 Barlinnie
 1,018
 1,600
 1,402
 1,320
 1,324
 1,462


 Cornton Vale
 375
 440
 381
 415
 439
 402


 Dumfries
 179
 216
 209
 191
 196
 188


 Edinburgh
 872
 960
 798
 809
 864
 922


 Glenochil 
 670
 750
 738
 728
 668
 666


 Greenock
 255
 330
 310
 302
 248
 261


 Inverness
 104
 162
 152
 148
 149
 147


 Kilmarnock
 500
 644
 620
 546
 547
 546


 Open Estate
 425
 519
 265
 259
 246
 261


 Perth
 722
 801
 740
 762
 709
 695


 Peterhead
 306
 306
 304
 305
 305
 306


 Polmont
 623
 700
 654
 644
 690
 704


 Shotts
 537
 537
 536
 532
 531
 537


 Totals
 7,441
 8,920
 7,484
 7,655
 7,847
 8,031



  Note: *Assessed Operational Level.

Rivers

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reasons Dumfries and Galloway Council’s application in 2008 to dredge and remove gravel beds in the River Nith at Dumfries town centre was refused.

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what agencies were consulted regarding Dumfries and Galloway Council’s application in 2008 to dredge and remove gravel beds in the River Nith at Dumfries town centre.

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the responses to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s consultation on the application by Dumfries and Galloway Council in 2008 to dredge and remove gravel beds in the River Nith at Dumfries town centre are publicly available.

Roseanna Cunningham: The application CAR/L/103362 made by Dumfries and Galloway Council under the Controlled Activities Regulations (2005) was advertised by Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) as required by the Regulations. The application, together with the responses and SEPA’s Notice of Refusal, is contained in the Public Register held by SEPA at their Edinburgh Office, Clearwater House, Heriot Watt Research Park, Avenue North, Riccarton, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, tel: 0131 449 7296.

Rural Development

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive in what ways the Scottish National Rural Network will benefit people living in rural areas who are unable to access appropriate broadband connections.

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to ensure that all people living in rural areas are able to access the Scottish National Rural Network, given that it is available only online.

Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish National Rural Network is currently operating online and, later this year, will include local and national events. It aims to promote sustainable economic growth and community development. Networking on this scale will help rural communities learn of development opportunities and reap benefits through sharing examples of innovation and best practice across Scotland, the UK and Europe.

  The Scottish Government’s broadband commitment currently extends to provision of basic broadband services (512Kbps), which are already available to over 99% of the population. The Scottish Government’s Broadband Reach Project aims to meet known demand in the areas where the remaining 1% live, many of which are rural in nature. We expect all those premises that registered for the project prior to the original deadline of 31 March 2008, and which have placed an order for service, to secure broadband access by the end of May 2009.

Scottish Futures Trust

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Futures Trust will commission its first school project.

John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23730 on 26 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Single Outcome Agreements

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the potential legal, operational and financial consequences would be of local authorities and their community planning partners failing to undertake an environmental assessment of single outcome agreements.

Roseanna Cunningham: It is for the individual local authorities to consider whether their single outcome agreement falls within the scope of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 (2005 Act) and therefore requires a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).

  However, there is the possibility of the following legal consequences for authorities that fail to meet their statutory obligations under 2005 Act when preparing Scottish plans and programmes:

  Section 11 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 provides the Scottish ministers with the powers to consider whether any Scottish plan or programme requires an Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and to direct a Responsible Authority to carry out an SEA in accordance with the 2005 Act, if they consider one was required.

  The other is the possibility of judicial review in the Court of Session.

  There are no direct financial consequences, such as a penalty for not undertaking an SEA when one was required. However, if it is found that a Responsible Authority had failed to undertake an SEA of a plan or programme there is likely to be indirect cost implications, for example; plan preparation delays, potential remedial action and the need for a retrospective assessment.

Social Work

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many social care workers are qualified to administer medical treatment and what percentage this represents.

Adam Ingram: The information requested is not held centrally. The Care Commission gathers data from some care services on the number of staff who have a recognised nursing qualification and/or SVQ HSC375 "Administer Medication to Individuals". Further information can be obtained from the Commission’s Chief Executive:

  Ms Jacquie Roberts Chief Executive Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care Compass House 11 Riverside Drive DUNDEE DD1 4NY T: 01382 207100 E: Jacquie.roberts@carecommission.com.

Young Offenders

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many children aged (a) 12 to 15 and (b) under 12 have been proceeded against in the criminal courts in each year since 1999, broken down by (i) age and (ii) offence.

Fergus Ewing: The available information in given in the following table:

  Persons Aged 15 and Under Proceeded Against in Scottish Courts1, 1999-2000 to 2007-08

  

 Age
 Main Offence
 1999-2000
 2000-01
 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08


 9
 Motor vehicle offences
 -
 -
 1
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -


 11
 Crimes of dishonesty 
 1
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -


 
 Miscellaneous offences 
 -
 1
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -


 12
 Non-sexual crimes of violence
 -
 -
 -
 -
 1
 -
 -
 -
 -


 
 Fire-raising, vandalism, etc 
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 1


 
 Other crimes 
 1
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -


 
 Miscellaneous offences 
 -
 -
 1
 1
 -
 1
 -
 1
 -


 
 Motor vehicle offences 
 1
 -
 -
 -
 1
 -
 -
 -
 -


 13
 Non-sexual crimes of violence
 2
 1
 1
 -
 1
 1
 -
 -
 4


 
 Crimes of indecency 
 -
 -
 -
 1
 2
 -
 -
 -
 -


 
 Crimes of dishonesty 
 -
 -
 1
 2
 2
 -
 -
 -
 -


 
 Fire-raising, vandalism, etc 
 -
 -
 2
 1
 1
 -
 1
 -
 3


 
 Other crimes 
 -
 1
 1
 1
 1
 2
 -
 -
 -


 
 Miscellaneous offences 
 -
 -
 2
 1
 2
 -
 -
 -
 1


 
 Motor vehicle offences 
 -
 2
 -
 -
 -
 -
 3
 1
 1


 14
 Non-sexual crimes of violence
 1
 5
 5
 2
 6
 4
 9
 5
 8


 
 Crimes of indecency 
 4
 2
 2
 1
 -
 2
 3
 2
 1


 
 Crimes of dishonesty 
 4
 2
 5
 2
 3
 3
 2
 -
 2


 
 Fire-raising, vandalism, etc 
 3
 -
 3
 6
 1
 4
 -
 1
 3


 
 Other crimes 
 2
 1
 -
 2
 2
 -
 7
 5
 3


 
 Miscellaneous offences 
 7
 5
 1
 1
 3
 6
 3
 2
 4


 
 Motor vehicle offences 
 1
 -
 1
 2
 1
 1
 1
 1
 -


 15
 Non-sexual crimes of violence
 13
 16
 11
 24
 18
 22
 19
 20
 21


 
 Crimes of indecency 
 1
 4
 3
 4
 4
 6
 5
 4
 8


 
 Crimes of dishonesty 
 24
 22
 15
 27
 19
 20
 33
 24
 20


 
 Fire-raising, vandalism, etc 
 8
 2
 8
 6
 14
 7
 8
 9
 12


 
 Other crimes 
 5
 7
 14
 18
 17
 24
 16
 24
 31


 
 Miscellaneous offences 
 14
 10
 22
 16
 13
 29
 33
 28
 42


 
 Motor vehicle offences 
 7
 9
 15
 33
 16
 21
 29
 20
 23



  Note: 1. The source of this information is the Scottish Government Court Proceedings database, which is derived from data held on the Criminal History System. The Criminal History System is not designed for statistical purposes. The figures given reflect the details of court proceedings as made available to and recorded at SPSA, and as provided to the Scottish Government by the end of August 2008. These figures do not include young people who are referred to the reporter.

Young Offenders

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many children aged (a) 12 to 15 and (b) under 12 have been convicted of an offence in each year since 1999, broken down by (i) age and (ii) offence.

Fergus Ewing: The available information in given in the following table:

  Persons Aged 15 and Under with a Charge Proved in Scottish Courts1, 1999-2000 to 2007-08

  

 Age
 Main Offence
 1999-2000
 2000-01
 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08


 9
 Motor vehicle offences 
 -
 -
 1
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -


 12
 Non-sexual crimes of violence
 -
 -
 -
 -
 1
 -
 -
 -
 -


 
 Fire-raising, vandalism, etc 
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 1


 
 Other crimes 
 1
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -


 
 Miscellaneous offences 
 -
 -
 1
 1
 -
 1
 -
 -
 -


 
 Motor vehicle offences 
 1
 -
 -
 -
 1
 -
 -
 -
 -


 13
 Non-sexual crimes of violence
 1
 -
 1
 -
 1
 -
 -
 -
 2


 
 Crimes of indecency 
 -
 -
 -
 1
 2
 -
 -
 -
 -


 
 Crimes of dishonesty 
 -
 -
 1
 2
 2
 -
 -
 -
 -


 
 Fire-raising, vandalism, etc 
 -
 -
 2
 1
 -
 -
 1
 -
 2


 
 Other crimes 
 -
 1
 1
 1
 1
 2
 -
 -
 -


 
 Miscellaneous offences 
 -
 -
 2
 -
 2
 -
 -
 -
 1


 
 Motor vehicle offences 
 -
 2
 -
 -
 -
 -
 3
 -
 1


 14
 Non-sexual crimes of violence
 1
 3
 3
 2
 6
 2
 5
 4
 5


 
 Crimes of indecency 
 2
 2
 2
 -
 -
 1
 2
 2
 -


 
 Crimes of dishonesty 
 3
 2
 5
 2
 3
 3
 2
 -
 2


 
 Fire-raising, vandalism, etc 
 2
 -
 2
 4
 1
 4
 -
 1
 3


 
 Other crimes 
 2
 1
 -
 2
 2
 -
 7
 4
 2


 
 Miscellaneous offences 
 5
 4
 -
 1
 3
 6
 2
 1
 4


 
 Motor vehicle offences 
 1
 -
 1
 2
 1
 1
 1
 1
 -


 15
 Non-sexual crimes of violence
 11
 9
 7
 22
 16
 20
 15
 15
 15


 
 Crimes of indecency 
 -
 4
 3
 3
 3
 4
 5
 4
 6


 
 Crimes of dishonesty 
 23
 17
 11
 23
 15
 17
 30
 22
 17


 
 Fire-raising, vandalism, etc 
 7
 2
 7
 5
 13
 7
 7
 9
 12


 
 Other crimes 
 3
 5
 9
 16
 14
 19
 15
 23
 27


 
 Miscellaneous offences 
 10
 8
 12
 15
 11
 17
 22
 27
 36


 
 Motor vehicle offences 
 7
 6
 12
 31
 15
 21
 24
 17
 22



  Note: 1. The source of this information is the Scottish Government Court Proceedings database, which is derived from data held on the Criminal History System. The Criminal History System is not designed for statistical purposes. The figures given reflect the details of court proceedings as made available to and recorded at SPSA, and as provided to the Scottish Government by the end of August 2008. These figures do not include young people who are referred to the reporter.